Check writer operating mechanism



June 5, 1934. Q SLETTEVOLD 1,961,716

CHECK WRITER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 9, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jun 5, 1934. Q SLETTEVQLD 1,961,716

CHECK WRITER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 9, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 5, 1934. Q SLETTEVOLD 1,961,716

CHECK WRITER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 9, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHECK WRITER OPERATING MECHANISM Application August 9, 1930, Serial No. 474,143

18 Claims. (Cl. 192-142) My invention relates generally to motor drive mechanisms for operating check writers and similar machines. It relates more particularly to an improved single-revolution clutch mechanism and to improved means for mounting a motor upon a check writing machine.

Difficulty has been encountered in the past in connecting a motor to the operating shaft of a check writer so that it could readily be controlled to operate the check writer through one revolution and then automatically be disconnected from the check writer. Several one-revolution clutch devices have been proposed for use with check writers or similar machines but these devices did not take into account the limitations in dimensions, relative speeds of the motor and the check writer operating shaft, lightness in weight, and simplicity in operation, which are required in devices used in connection with check writers and 20 similar machines. I have therefore provided an improved mechanism in which a motor control switch and clutch for connecting the motor drive to the check writer are utilized, the mechanism being extremely simple in construction, very compact and durable.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved manually operated motor control switch and clutch mechanism for check writing and similar machines.

A further object is to provide an improved means for mounting an electric motor upon a check writer.

A further object is to provide an improved clutch disengaging mechanism automatically operable to release the clutch after it has made a plurality of revolutions.

A further object is to provide an improved clutch mechanism for check writers and similar machines in which means are utilized automatically to disengage the clutch and simultaneous- 1y open the switch which controls the electric motor.

A further object is to provide an improved motor drive mechanism for check writers and similar machines which is simple in construction, is compact, may be economically manufactured, is readily adaptable for installation on different machines, and which may be controlled very easily.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a right side elevation of a check writer incorporating my improved motor drive and control mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a central horizontal sectional view of the clutch and switch mechanism taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the clutch mechanism with the outer casing removed, the switch being shown in section;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation showing details of the motor and switch mechanism mounting; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The check writer in which I have incorporated my improved clutch and switch mechanism C is illustrated as of the type disclosed in the application of John W. Carlson, Serial No. 391,068, filed September 7, 1929, and comprises generally a main frame 10 secured to the vertically disposed back plate 11 of the base 12. The type carrying housing 13 is pivotally mounted in the main frame 10 and is adapted to be oscillated to imprint or scarify checks in the well-known manner upon the rotation of theshaft 14 (Fig. 3). One complete revolution of the shaft 14 causes the operation of the check writer through a complete printing cycle. The problem which presents itself is to provide a connection between a motor and the shaft 14 to cause a single revolution of the shaft 14, and it is to this end that I have devised the improved clutch and switch mechanism C for accomplishing this rotation of the shaft 14.

The clutch mechanism C which serves to connect the motor M to the shaft 14 of the check writer and rotate the same comprises in general a hollow shaft 15 journalled at its respective ends 16 and 17 in the bearings 18 and 19 integral with the housing H. A worm gear 20, loose upon the shaft 15, meshes with a worm 21 on the end of the shaft of the motor M. A clutch C, reciprocably supported on the shaft 15, when moved into engagement with the worm gear 20, closes switch mechanism S positioned on the end of the housing H to close the circuit of the motor M. The motor M, through the medium of its worm 21 and worm gear on the shaft 15 and clutch C, transmits rotation to the shaft 15. A bevel gear 22 is secured to the end 16 of the shaft 15 by set screws 23 and meshes with a bevel gear 24 rotatably supported in a bearing 25 secured in the housing H and isprovided with a D shaped opening 26 in the end resting in the bearing 25 which is adapted to receive the D shaped end 27 of the shaft 14 of the check writer to transmit rotation to this shaft 14.

same against displacement.

The motor M, which supplies the power for rotating the gearing and shaft as generally pointed out above, is supported on a laterally extending cradle 28 integrally formed with the rear endof the housing H and lies to the rear of the main frame 10 of the check writer. Suitable screws 29 passing through orifices in the cradle 28 have threaded engagement with the shell of the motor M to secure the same to the cradle 28. A bracket 30 secured to the cradle 28 by screws 31 pivotally supports a rack member 32 by means of screws 33 passing through aligned openings in the depending ears 34 of the rack 32 and having threaded engagement with tapped holes in the ends of a rod 35 disposed between the arms36 of the bracket 30. The rack member 32 is, in turn, secured between the walls 37 formed by the recess 38 in the vertically disposed back plate 11 of the base 12 by screws 39 passing through aligned holes drilled in the walls 37 and through depending ears 34 and having threaded engagement with tapped holes in a rod 40 disposed between the depending ears 34. The pivotal connection between the bracket 30 secured to the cradle 28 and the rack 32 secured to the walls 37 of the back plate 11 permits the forward end of the housing H to move relative to the main frame of the machine when the shaft 14 is adjusted to vary the pressure and extent of the printing stroke, as is fully disclosed in said application Serial No. 391,068.

The rack 32 has a terminal strip 41 of suitable insulation material secured to it by screws 42. The strip 41 is provided with terminals 43 to which are secured the various connections of the motor M, the switch device S and the plug P to which the current from a power source is connected through the agency of the socket 44. The rack 32 and its supported terminal strip 41 lie within the recess 38 and a suitable cover plate 45 secured to the back plate 11 of the base 10 by means of the screws 46 covers the recess and protects the terminal strip 41 and the connections thereto. The cover plate also supports the plug P to which a socket 44, for connection to a source of current, is detachably secured.

Referring again to the clutch and switch mechanism C, (Figs. 3 and 4), it comprises, in addition to the gearing and shaft above referred to a male jaw clutch collar 50 provided with diametrically opposite projecting teeth 51 which are adapted to mesh with complemental notches 52 in the face of the hub 53 of the worm gear 20 loose upon the hollow shaft 15. The collar 50 is secured to the shaft 15 for longitudinal sliding movement by a pin 54 which extends through diametrically opposite holes in the reduced sleeve extension 55 of the collar 50 and longitudinal slots 56 and 57 in the shaft 15. This connection permits the collar 50 to be moved to the right or left along the shaft 15 to move the same in or out of engagement with the female jaw clutch in the hub 53 of the worm gear 20. The pin 54 also extends diametrically through the tubular shaft 58 supported in the hollow shaft 15. The tubular shaft 58 is capable of being moved longitudinally therein and is adapted to operate a switch S secured to the end of the housing H for opening and closing.

the circuit of the motor M. A set screw 120 is threaded in the tubular shaft 58 and is provided with a rounded end which engages an annular groove 121 in the pin 54 to maintain the A lock screw 122 also threaded in said tubular shafts holds the .lCIEW 120 in position.

A cam 60, provided with a reduced sleeve extension 61, is slidably supported on the shaft 15 and is pressed into engagement with the end of the sleeve extension 55 of the collar 50, which extends in the annular recess 62 in the end face of the cam 60, by the compression spring 63. The spring 63 encompasses the sleeve extension 61 and engages respectively a shoulder 65 on the cam 60 and an annular flange 66 integral with a collar 6'? slidably supported on the shaft 15 by a pin 68 extending diametrically through the collar 6'7 through tubular shaft 58, through slots 56 and 57 in the shaft 15. A spring 69, encompassing the collar 6'? and normally held under slight compression between the flange 66 and a thrust collar '70 secured to the shaft 15 by the set screw 71, has a tendency to move the collar to the right (Fig. 8) but, due to the greater strength of the compression spring 63, the collar 6'7 is normally maintained against the thrust collar '70.

A lever (Fig. 6) for controlling the initial movement of the clutch and switch mechanism C is pivotally secured intermediate its ends to the rear face of the housing H by means of the pivot screw 76. A pin 77 is secured to a disk 78 and is slidably mounted in a bearing 79 in the rear face of the housing H and, through the agency of a compression spring .80, one end of which abutts against the disk 78 and the other end of which seats against a bracket 81 supported on the housing H, is held in engagement with the peripheral cylindrical surface of the sleeve extension 55 and in tangential engagement with the crown 82 of the cam 60 normally to maintain the clutch collar 50 and the.

cam 60 in the position indicated in 3 and 4 against the compression of the spring 63. An arm 83 (Figs. 3 and 6), integral with the disk 78, has secured thereto a laterally projecting pin 84 which extends into the bifurcated end 85 of the lever 75. By means of this connection the disk 78 is rotated counter-clockwise (Fig. 6) when the lever '75 is swungin a clockwise direction. A finger 86 formed integrally with the disk '78 cooperates with the oppositely disposed cam surfaces 87 of a member 88 secured to the rear face of the housing H by the pins 89. when the disk 78 is rotated counter-clockwise (Fig. 6) the finger 86, as well as the arm 83, ride upwardly upon the inclined cam surfaces 87, thus moving the pin '77 outwardly in its hearing 79, and withdrawing the end of the pin 78 from engagement with the cam surface of the sleeve 60. The forward end of the lever '75 is provided with a goose neck extension 145 which extends upwardly and has secured thereto an arcuate shaped finger piece 141 for ready manipulation by the. operator.

A cam plate 90, secured to the bevel gear 24 by means of the screws 92, is provided with a notch or fall 93 cut in its peripheral face 94, and cooperates with the head of a hardened stud 95, the L shank 96 of which is threaded in the end of the tubular shaft 58. A button 98 is secured to the end of the sleeve opposite that of the wear-piece 95 by means of its threaded shank 99. The but ton 98, of suitable insulation material, has a metal sition under the influence of spring 80.

The disk 105 is secured to the rear end of the housing H with its central orifice 108 concentric with the button 98. The spring switch members 102, 103, each comprise a strip of spring brass or other suitable conductor formed with an arcuate portion 110 and a reverse bend 111, also arcuate in form, which portions 111 are adapted to be bridge by the metal tip or cap 100 in the end of the sleeve 58 when the same is moved to the right (Fig. 4) thereby to close the circuit of the motor M. Conductors 112 and 113, which are secured to the respective switch members 102 and 103 by the terminal screws 106, extend through a suitable insulation sleeve 114 resting in an orifice in the reinforcing web between the housing H and the cradle 28 and are suitably connected with certain of the terminal screws 43 associated with the control circuit of the motor M. A cover 130 secured to the housing H by the screw 131 encloses the switch S. A housing cover 132 is also provided for enclosing the mechanism contained in the housing H and is secured thereto by screws 133.

Having described the details of the clutch and switch mechanism C for permitting a single revolution of the shaft 14 to oscillate the type carrying housing 13 so as to imprint or scarify a check, I will now describe the operation of this mechanism. The setting members 145 of the check writer having been adjusted, for imprinting the desired amount, the operator depresses the lever 75 by applying pressure to the finger piece 141 secured thereto, which causes the lever '75 to rock about its pivot '76. This movement of the lever '25 causes the bifurcated end 85 of the same to swing upwardly (Fig. 6) and the disk '78 pivoted counterclockwise. The rotation of the disk '38 causes the arm 83 which carries the pin 84 and the finger 86 of the same to ride up on the inclined cam faces 87 thereby to raise (Fig. 3) the disk 78 and the pin 7'7 secured thereto against the tension of the spring 80. When the end of the pin '7'? clears the peripheral edge of the cam 60, the spring 63 acts to force the cam 60 and the collar to the i right (Figs. 3 and 4), permitting the male clutch jaws of the collar 50 to engage the female jaw clutch of the worm gear 21. This movement of the cam and collar 50 decreases the compression to which the spring 63 is subjected and thus permits the collar 67 to be moved to the right under the influence of the spring 69.

The movement of the collar 50 under the influence of the spring 63 also moves the tubular shaft 58, supported in the hollow shaft 15, to the right due to the pin connection between it and the collar 50. This movement of the tubular shaft 58 to the right forces the metal cap 100 between the arcuate contacting portions 111 of the springs 102 and 103 to close the circuit of the motor M. The motor thus being started, the motor shaft fitted in a bearing 1.50 in a cylindrical bearing boss 150 of the housing H, now drives the worm gear 20 through the worm 21. The collar 50 being coupled with the worm gear 20, the shaft 15 is also rotated which, through the bevel gears 22 and 24, causes rotation of the shaft 14 of the check writer. When the pressure on the finger piece 141 is released the spring tends to restore the same and the pin '77 to normal position but the cam 60 having been moved to the right (Figs. 3 and 4) as just described, the end of the pin '77 abuts against the cylindrical surface of the cam 60 until the cam has rotated a sufficient distance to permit the pin to snap back into its normal po- The gear ratio of the bevel gears 22 and 24 being of a twoto-one ratio, the shaft 15 must rotate through two complete revolutions for one complete revolution of the shaft 14.

The cam 60 being slidably supported on the shaft 15 is rotated therewith because of its pin and slot connection therewith. As the cam 60 rotates its receding cam face will permit the pin 77 to be forced down under the compression of the spring 80 after a partial rotation of the same and, as the rotation of the cam 60 continues, the crown 82 of the same will again approach the pin 77. As the crown 82 again engages the pin 77, upon the first revolution the cam 60 is forced to the left with respect to Fig. 3 against the tension of the spring 63. This movement of the cam 60 compresses the spring 63 and tends to force the collar 67 to the left, and as the collar 67 is connected to the tubular shaft 58, the latter also tends to move in this direction. The sleeve 58 however, is prevented from moving in this direc tion since the head of the stud 95 in the end of the sleeve 58 is arrested by the peripheral face 94 of the collar 90, and the motor switch is thus main tained closed and the jaw clutch in engagement to initiate the second revolution of the shaft 15.

As the crown 82 passes the pin 7'? upon the beginning of the second revolution of shaft 15, the receding cam face 156 which engages the pin '77 allows the cam 60 again to move to the right under the influence of the spring 63. As the shaft 15 approaches the completion of its second revolu tion, the crown 82 of the cam 60 again approaches the pin 7, which causes the cam 60 to be again moved to the left against the tension of the spring 63, again to force the stud 95 of the sleeve 58 into engagement with the peripheral face 94 of the collar 90. Upon the completion of the second revolution of the shaft 15 the edge 160 of the fall 93 in the collar will have passed the head of the stud and positioned the fall 93 relative to the same so that the spring 63 is now free to act upon the collar 67 to move the same to the left, and the movement of the tubular shaft 58, under the influence of the collar 67, withdraws the metal cap 180 from engagement with the spring switch contacts 192 and 103 thereby to open the circuit to the motor M. Movement of the tubular shaft 58 to the left also results in the withdrawal of the clutch collar 50 from the clutch of the worm gear 20.

From the above description it is seen that upon the completion of two revolutions of the shaft 1.5, the shaft 14 of the check writer will have completed one revolution to operate the oscillating h printer through a complete printing cycle, and that the opening of the motor circuit and the disengagement of the clutch connection between the collar 50 and worm gear 20 stops rotation of the shaft 15 automatically at the end of its second revolution. To repeat this cycle of operation the lever '75 is again depressed as before described with the resulting operation as previously described. It will be clear from the above that if the finger piece 141 is held in depressed position the motor will drive the check writer continuously.

While the description specifies a predeter mined number of revolutions of the shaft 15 for one revolution of the shaft of the check writer,-

of the bevel gears is an even multiple of the number of teeth in the other.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention and have associated the same with a particular type of apparatus, it is applicable for other uses. It is also apparent that changes and modifications may also suggest themselves and I therefore aim to cover all such changes and modifications as will suggest themselves to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. The combination with a check writer, of clutch mechanism operatively associated therewith, a motor for rotating said. clutch mechanism a predetermined plural number of revolutions to operate said check writer through a complete printing cycle, a switch associated with said clutch mechanism for controlling the operation of said motor, and means operable in said clutch mechanism to actuate said switch to open said motor circuit upon the completion of the printing cycle of said check writer.

2. The combination with a check writer, of clutch mechanism and a driving connection between said clutch mechanism and said checl: writer, a motor for rotating said clutch mechanism a predetermined plural number of revolutions to move said check writer through a complete printing cycle, a switch associated with said clutch mechanism for controlling the operation of said motor, and means for said clutch mechanism operable upon the completion of the printing cycle of said check writer for automatically disconnecting the same from said motor and simultaneously therewith operating said switch to open the circuit of said motor.

3. The combination with a check writer, of a clutch mechanism operatively associated therewith, driven means on said clutch mechanism, a motor for rotating said driven means, reciprocable means on said clutch mechanism for engagement with said driven means for rotating said clutch mechanism, and means on said clutch mechanism automatically operable to disconnect said reciprocable means from said driven means after a predetermined plural number of revolutions of said clutch mechanism.

4. In a motor drive mechanism for check writing machines, the combination of an electric motor, a gear driven thereby, a shaft for rotatably supporting said gear, a clutch for forming a driving connection between said gear and said shaft, resilient means tending to cause engagement of said clutch, a stop normally preventing such engagement, manually operable means for moving said stop to inoperative position, a control ele-- ment connected to the movable element of said clutch, and an electric switch operated by said element and adapted to be closed upon the engagement of said clutch and opened upon disengagement thereof.

5. In a motor drive mechanism for check writing machines, the combination of an electric motor, a worm wheel driven thereby, a tubular shaft for rotatably supporting said worm wheel,

a clutch for forming a driving connection between said worm wheel and said shaft, a stop pin normally preventing engagement of said clutch, manually operable means for moving said stop pin to inoperative position, a control rod slidable within said tubular shaft and rigidly connected to the movable element of said clutch, and an electric switch operated by said rod and adapted to be closed simultaneously with the engagement of said clutch.

6. In combination, a motor having an armature shaft, a check writer operating shaft parallel to the armature shaft of said motor, a tubular drive shaft, a worm gear driven by said motor and rotatably mounted on said tubular shaft, a control rod longitudinally reciprocable in said tubular shaft, an electric switch for controlling said motor operated upon outward movement of said control rod, a. spring tending normally to move said control rod outwardly, a second and stronger spring normally opposing said first-named spring and resiliently preventing outward movement of said control rod, a clutch adapted to connect said worm wheel with said tubular shaft, said clutch being adapted to be moved into engagement by said second spring, a stop pin normally holding said clutch out of engagement, manually operable means for moving said pin out of the path of said clutch to permit engagement thereof, and means dependent upon the angular position of said check writer operating shaft for controlling the inward movement of said control rod.

7. In combination, a motor having an armature shaft, a check writer operating shaft, a tubular drive shaft, a gear driven by said motor and rotatably mounted on said tubular shaft, a control element longitudinally reciprocable in said tubular shaft, an electric switch for controlling said motor operated upon outward movement of said control element, a spring tending normally to move said control element outwardly, a second and stronger spring normally opposing said first-named spring and resiliently preventing outward movement of said control element, a clutch having the engaging part thereof secured to said control element and adapted to connect said gear with said tubular shaft, said clutch being adapted to be moved into engagement by said second spring, manually releasable means for permitting engagement of said clutch, and means dependent upon the angular position of said check writer operating shaft for controlling the inward movement of said control element.

8. In a device of the class described, a motor, a tubular drive shaft, a clutch for operatively connecting said motor and said tubular shaft, resilient means tending normally to render said clutch operative, manually operable means for permitting said resilient means to operate said clutch, a check writer operating shaft, a gear connected thereto, a pinion carried by said tubular shaft and meshing with the gear on said check writer operating shaft, a cam-shaped element on said check writer operating shaft, a control member connected to the movable element of said clutch, and a spring for forcing said control member against the surface of said cam-shaped element.

9. In a device of the class described, a motor, a drive shaft, a clutch for operatively connecting said motor and said drive shaft, a spring for forcing said clutch into engagement, means for releasing said clutch to permit engagement thereof under the influence of said spring, a check Writer operating shaft, gearing connecting said operating shaft and said drive shaft, a recessed element on said check writer operating shaft, a control member connected to said clutch, and a spring for forcing said control member against the surface of said recessed element.

10. In a device of the class described, a motor, a tubular drive shaft, a jaw clutch for operatively connecting said motor and said tubular shaft, said jaw clutch being non-rotatable relative to said shaft but axially slidable thereon, resilient means to force said clutch into engagement, a stop to hold said clutch out of engagement, manually operable means to remove said stop thereby to permit said resilient means to force said clutch into engagement, a check writer operating shaft, gearing connecting said tubular shaft and said check writer operating shaft, and cooperating control means on said shafts to cause disengagement of said clutch upon completion of one revolution of said check Writer operating shaft.

11. In combination, a motor, a check writer operating shaft to be driven thereby, a worm wheel driven by said motor, a tubular shaft supporting said worm wheel for rotation thereon, a control member longitudinally slidable in said tubular shaft, a clutch adapted for engagement with said worm wheel and rigidly connected to said control member, a sleeve having a cam surface thereon slidably mounted on said tubular shaft, a spring pressing said sleeve against said clutch element, a manually releasable stop engageable with the cam surface of said sleeve normally to prevent the latter from forcing said clutch into engagement, a second and lighter spring tending to move said control member to engage said clutch, gearing connecting said tubular shaft and said check writer operating shaft, a cam-shaped element on said check writer operating shaft having a single depression therein, said control shaft being engageable with said cam-shaped element and thereby prevented from moving in clutch disengaging direction except when said depression is in registry with the end of said control member.

12. In combination, a motor, a check writer operating shaft to be driven thereby, a worm wheel driven by said motor, a shaft supporting said worm wheel for rotation thereon, a control member longitudinally slidable relative to said tubular shaft, a clutch adapted for engagement with said worm wheel and fixed to said control member, a sleeve longitudinally slidable on said shaft, a spring for forcing said sleeve against said clutch element, a manually releasable stop for said sleeve to prevent the latter from forcing said clutch into engagement, a second and lighter spring tending to move said control member to engage said clutch, gearing connecting said tubular shaft and said check writer operating shaft, and means on said check writer operating shaft for limiting the disengagement of said clutch to the time when said check writer shaft is in nor mal position.

13. In combination, a check writer having a fixed frame and a second frame movable relative to said fixed frame, an operating shaft mounted in the movable frame, an electric motor, a manually releasable clutch and gearing connecting the shaft of said motor with said operating shaft, and an oscillatable cradle carried on the fixed frame and supporting said motor.

14. In combination, a check writer having fixed and movable parts, an operating shaft carried in the movable part, and electric motor driving means supported by the fixed part and capable of movement with the movable part.

15. The combination with a check writer, of a clutch mechanism associated therewith, driven means on said clutch mechanism and a motor for rotating the same, reciprocable means on said clutch mechanism, a starting lever actuated to permit said reciprocable means to move in engagement with said driven means for rotating said clutch mechanism, and means associated with said clutch mechanism automatically operable for disconnecting said reciprocating means from said driven means after a predetermined plural number of revolutions of said clutch mechanism.

16. The combination with a check writer, of a clutch mechanism associated therewith, driven means on said clutch mechanism and a motor for rotating the same, a control switch associated with said clutch mechanism for controlling the circuit of said motor, reciprocable means on said clutch mechanism for engagement with said driven means for rotating said clutch mechanism, and means associated with said clutch mechanism automatically operable to release said reciprocable means and simultaneously operate said switch to open the circuit of said motor after a predetermined plural number of revolutions of said clutch mechanism.

17. The combination with a check writer, of clutch mechanism, an operable connection between said clutch mechanism and said check writer, a motor and means for said clutch mechanism driven by said motor, a switch controlling said motor circuit, a clutch and means operable to move said clutch into engagement with said driven means for moving said check writer through a complete printing cycle for a predetermined plural number of revolutions of said clutch mechanism, said means automatically operable upon the completion of said printing cycle to release said clutch and simultaneously operate said switch to operate the motor circuit.

18. A clutch mechanism of the character described, the combination with a check writer, an operable connection between said clutch mechanism and said check writer, a motor for driving said clutch mechanism, a base for said check writer and a vertical back plate integral therewith for securing said check writer thereto, a housing for said clutch mechanism and cradle integral with said housing for supporting said motor and means secured to said cradle and pivotally supported on said back plate for adiustably supporting said housing relative to said check writer.

OLE SLETTEVOLD. 

